Taylor Barnard Talks Full-Time McLaren Seat and Formula E Season Opener
While Formula One and the wider motorsport world enter winter hibernation, Formula E is set to whir its electric engines in the streets of São Paulo to kick off what will be the series’ 11th season. Over the next 16 rounds, the 22 drivers will battle it out in the heart of ten city centres across the globe.
We spoke with Taylor Barnard, NEOM McLaren’s young talent who secured a full-time seat alongside Sam Bird after an impressive two-race stint last season. At just 19 years old, Taylor stepped in to replace an injured Sam Bird in Monaco and Berlin, becoming the youngest driver to compete in the series.
“Honestly, I think without that opportunity, I would not be here right now. I think because of the opportunity that I got, especially in Berlin, where I did very well, was half the reason why I’m here now as a race driver.
“I feel like in everyone’s career, these kind of moments that you get as a reserve driver – you saw with Ollie Bearman when he was in Saudi – I feel like these kinds of opportunities you get, especially as a young driver, you have to take them with both hands. I guess for me it was really the first time I could show what I could do in a car.”
“It’s a great opportunity and I feel like I can make an impact on the team,” says the now 20-year-old Norwich-born driver, as he gears up for his first full season in McLaren’s signature papaya colours.
The season kicks off this Saturday at the São Paulo E-Prix – the very same track Sam Bird secured NEOM McLaren’s first Formula E victory with a last-lap move on former teammate Mitch Evans in the Jaguar.
“Obviously the team has a good history here.
“I’ve asked Sam for a lot of advice, coming into this kinda new.
“I think the team is well equipped around this track…I’m looking forward to it,” says Taylor with a smile.
Barnard first signed with the Papaya team last January as a reserve driver. “I’ve not previously represented a massive brand like McLaren, so to take that kind of responsibility and honour as it’s a great pleasure, honestly.
“To try and describe how it feels is very difficult, but when you jump into the car and you see McLaren and you see orange everywhere, it’s really incredible.”
Taylor began the year as a Formula 2 driver for PHM AIX Racing but had to step away early to take on the responsibility of driving the NEOM McLaren car and racing the full Formula E season: “I think Formula E has probably one of the best racing, in terms of wheel-to-wheel racing, and the way Formula E works, where you have a certain amount of energy to complete the race, that kind of promotes and forces you to race.”
When asked how he would persuade motorsport fans to watch the E-Prix, he emphasised the dramatic and thrilling nature of Formula E races: “The wheel-to-wheel racing is very good, but also very chaotic. I don’t think there’s even one lap where there’s not an overtake, so there’s always something to watch.”
Towards the end of the interview, he recalled some remarkable moments from his career: “Winning in Monaco this year in Formula 2 was pretty good.
“But also, when Sam had this unfortunate incident in Monaco, the atmosphere that I experienced when I was trying to get ready and focused before I had to drive the car. That’s something that I will never forget.
“And driving an official McLaren car for the first time in your life is something special,” the rookie driver says.
